Faculty Syllabus

Grading System 

The following table represents how you will demonstrate your learning and how we will assess the degree to which you have done so.

From the total points, the following grade equivalency will be determined:

>900 points = A, 800-899 points = B, 700-799 points = C, 600-699 points = D, <599 points = F

Final point totals will be rounded to the nearest whole point before assigning grades (partial points less than 0.50 will round down, 0.50 or higher will round up). Rounding is based on points earned, not on percentages. No other adjustments will be made.

Lecture Exams: There will be five lecture exams and each exam is worth 100 points, 80 minutes will be provided for each exam. All exams are weighted equally. Lecture exams will consist of multiple-choice questions, True or false questions, matching questions, and a variable number of short-answer questions. The short answers will vary in point value. Closed-book testing. 

Class Activities: Class activities will be used throughout lectures to support application-based learning. Students will work with the instructor and classmates to better understand and apply lecture content. Class activities are graded based on attendance, participation, and active interaction with the instructor and peers. Students must submit each activity before leaving the lecture. Class activities cannot be submitted for lectures that are missed. Students are required to have their cameras turned on during the lecture. Each class activity is worth 10 points, and the lowest activity grade will be dropped.

Online Weekly Assignments will be given on Blackboard as computer-based assignments. Available weekly, from 8:00 am Friday, due Sunday at 11:59pm. There will be 11 online assignments.  The lowest grades of the assignment will be dropped. You will be given 3 days to complete each assignment. Please do not wait until the last minute to complete assignments, as unexpected technical issues may arise. Such issues will not be accepted as valid excuses for late submissions. You can use the course materials when working on these assignments.  You should not ask other students for the answers—two attempts with 30 minutes per attempt. Please note the due date for each assignment from the class schedule. No late assignments will be accepted.

Lab Report Quizzes: The lab portion of the course grade is based on attendance and participation. A lab report quiz will be given during each lab session and will be based on both attendance and the results obtained during that lab. The quiz may include multiple-choice, matching, identification, and data analysis questions. Students must report their own experimental results. The quiz must be submitted before leaving the lab. Quizzes cannot be submitted for labs that were not attended. There are no makeup quizzes, missed labs cannot be made up for any reason, and late lab reports will not be accepted.

Practical Lab Exams will be given in class via Blackboard Respondus Monitor.    A total of two lab practical exams will be given during the semester. The dates of the lab  practical exams are fixed and cannot be changed. Lab practical exams cannot be made up. Each lab practical exam is worth 100 points. Closed-book testing

If you miss a practical you will receive a “0” for that exam.  Each practical will cover the material according to the syllabus.  Further details will be outlined during the laboratory prior to each practical exam.  Part of your lab grade will include an evaluation of your lab techniques throughout the course.  Some of these will be formally graded; others will be determined as part of your daily techniques and how well you follow the laboratory safety procedures.

Extra Credit may be offered at the discretion of the instructor and is not exceed 3% of the course grade 

• Required Textbooks and Materials:

• Lecture: Campbell, Biology: Concepts & Connections [10e] (2020)
  AUTHOR(S): Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan
  ISBN: 9780136538820 (eText + Mastering)
  PUBLISHER: Pearson Education

• (available as a First Day etext on Blackboard)

• Laboratory Manual (on Blackboard)
• Closed toed shoes
• ANSI Z87 Safety glasses or goggles
• All students will be required to utilize computers during this course.
  1.    Students must have a computer with a microphone, webcam, and reliable internet access.
  2.   This class utilizes Lockdown Browser and Respondus Monitor for test Proctoring

• Instructional Methodology: Lecture and Lab

  This course will be an ONLINE (Synchronous) lecture and in-person lab.  Do not think that simply reading the PowerPoint will “cover” material for exams.  All students are expected to attend online lectures during class time, fully prepare notes, and complete homework and quizzes each week for the class. Students are also absolutely required to attend and participate fully in laboratory work.

Introductory biology course designed for non-science majors who desire a conceptual approach to biological topics. An introduction to the nature of science, the characteristics of life, the molecular and cellular basis of life, genetics, reproduction, and development. An emphasis will be placed on how these topics are related to current issues such as genetic engineering, biotechnology, and problems facing modern society. BIOL 1406 and BIOL 1408 may not both be counted toward graduation.

Course-Level:

Specific skills and competencies expected of students who complete this course include:

• Describe the scientific process as applied in biology
• Describe the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and viruses
• Describe evolution and its mechanisms
• Describe basic inorganic and organic chemistry concepts that underlie the structure and function of cells
• Describe energy transformations in organisms including photosynthesis and cellular respiration
• Describe the structure and function of DNA in reproduction and protein synthesis, and how DNA underlies the major patterns seen in the study of heredity
• Describe various applications of genetics to technology

General Education:

As a Core Curriculum course, students completing this course will demonstrate competence in:

• Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information
• Applying mathematical, logical and scientific principles and methods
• Analyzing and critiquing competing perspectives in a democratic society

Departmental Common Course Objectives:

The ACC Biology Department has specified the content for this course in the departmental common course objectives. The departmental objectives are located at http://sites.austincc.edu/biology/common-course-objectives/